It is considered holy because of all the tirthankaras are believed to obtain nirvana while meditating together on the top of the mountain. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. Jainism is an ancient indian religion that emphasizes nonviolence and the ascetic life. Jains derive their name from the jinas, spiritual conquerors who had achieved liberation and perfection. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. It teaches that the universe is eternal and that every living being has a soul. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. Jain theism concept of god in jainism harvard university. Only monks can read the scriptures, as in jainism, this book has very high spiritual values. Indeed one of the bestknown hindu books in the west is the kama sutra, a manual for sexual activity.
History and contemporary information provide evidence of competition and quarrels between the sects over the management of individual sites. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Jain philosophy is the oldest philosophy of india that distinguishes body matter from the soul consciousness completely. In the sixth century bc, india witnessed the rise of two new religions jainism and buddhism. Kama refers primarily to aesthetic pleasure, such as the enjoyment of music, drama, dance, painting, sculpture, and so on. The texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. In practice, some places are definitely of more importance to svetambaras than to digambaras and vice versa, and these are managed by institutions affiliated to one sect or the other. Followers of jainism are called jains, a word derived from the sanskrit word jina, meaning victor.
Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism. The split did not incur doctrinal or moral differences but only. Vardhana mahavira was the 24th tirthankara a great teacher and is said to have propounded jainism. Holy book and place of worship of sikhism,jainism, buddhism. History of jainism is the history of a religion founded in ancient india. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. Karma the mechanism create your own fate hermann kuhn. List of books and articles about jainism online research. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible.
Guru is a sanskrit word for teacher, and within sikhism it is the title given to the 10 spiritual leaders of sikhism dating from 1469 ad to 1708 ad as well as the sri guru granth. It prescribes a path of noninjury ahimsa towards all living beings. The site is on top of a mountain that is over 2,000 feet high. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. The jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Jainism illustrated 1988 eg 40 kapashi, vinod madhav allwin ltd. Jainism is the outcome of the teachings of twenty four tirthankaras or prophets. The following list of books incorporates a number of salient points of view, and they would be especially good for those not raised as jains. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview. The name of rishava and arishtanemi are found in rigveda. Jainism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In particular, vedanta hindus considered the jain position on the supremacy and potency of karma, specifically its insistence on nonintervention by any supreme being in regard to the fate of souls, as nastika or atheistic. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like banking po, ssc. The primary reason for the rise of these religions was the religious unrest at that time in the country. Books marked recommended are suitable for people new to jainism. Although jainism is an ancient and respected religion, it is little known in europe and america. The first of these was rishabhanatha, who according to.
This volume focuses on buddhism and jainism, two religions which, together with hinduism, constitute the three pillars of indic religious tradition in its classical formulation. There are six highly recommended books that together form an excellent literary introduction to jainism and the jain way of thinking. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. It explores their history and relates how the vedic period in the history of hinduism drew to a close around the sixth century bce and how its gradual etiolation gave rise to a number of religious movements. Also the religious books and scriptures were considered possessions and attachments for ascetics. The history of jainism after lord mahavira is recorded in the jaina literature preserved in various indian languages. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. Even religious scriptures were considered possessions and therefore knowledge of the. The book shows how buddhism and jainism share the basic concepts of karma, rebirth, and liberation with hinduism while giving them their own hue, and how they differ from the hindu tradition in their understanding of the role of the vedas, the caste system, and ritualism in religious life. Note the crescentshaped siddhashila, a place where all siddhas reside after nirvana.
As action, this translates into nonviolence and nonpossession. Pleasure, one of the four encouraged goals of life in hinduism. Jainism for young persons 1985 e 24 kapashi, vinod jain samaj europe publications in search of the ultimate 1984 e 56 kapashi, vinod j. Jain scripture rejects both the hindu vedas and nonjain writings as. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. List of world religions and founders, religious books. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Indian high court recognizes jainism as a distinct religion, rather than a sect of hinduism. Christians worship in churches and their spiritual leaders are called priests.
Within sikhism, the holy book is called the sri guru granth sahib. Books without the marking generally deal with more specific subjects within jainism. In principle jain holy places are sacred for all the jains. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. Collectively these texts are called jain canonical or agam literature. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith.
History, society, philosophy and practice agustin paniker on. Here are answers to some questions which may be asked by the westerner on first coming into contact with the jains. Mahavira, the jain patriarch, surpassed the morality of the bible with a single sentence. Once again, we need look no further than the jains. This point is proved by what is said in the following quotes from oldest hindu holy books that jainism existed before vedas were composed. It is perhaps the most comprehensive and concise book of its kind, and few books on jainism are as. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Jainism is a philosophy of contemporary relevance, based on the overriding principle of reverence for life. Collection of complete texts by jain scholars from around the globe. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english. Part 1 topics include shree simandhar bhagwan, saat tattva sambandhi bhul, lakshan ane lakshanabash, panchma gunustanvarti shravak ni 11 pratimao, sukh shu che, panch bhavo, char abhav, panch pandavo, bhavna batrisi. Digambara jain temples have tirthankara statues that are undecorated and unpainted. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice.
They relate to the conduct and behavior of monks and nuns. So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already and had a long tradition. It is based on the teachings of jesus christ who lived on the holy land 2000 years ago. Sanskrit verse from shivpuran lord rishabhdev jineshwar first tirthankar the omniscient and the all pervasive incarnated himself on the magnificent kailas ashtapad mountain. Worshipers look at its thousands of statues through mirrors in order no to insult the gods and goddesses with a direct gaze. Religion and culture of the jains by jyoti prasad jain 1983, bharatiya jnanpith will provide an orderly and clear. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jaina tradition teaches that a succession of 24 tirthankaras saints originated the religion. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. The name of rishava also found in vishnupurana and bhagvatpurana. These indicate that jainism is as old as vedic religion.
Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. The jain theory of karma has been challenged from an early time by the vedanta and sa. The jain path of purification was, in addition to the previous work, one of the very first books of its kind to be authored by a jain for the education of those unfamiliar with the jain worldview and way of life. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. It is a city so holy that not even priests can sleep there. Those who accept gods gift of salvation are empowered by the holy spirit to begin to live a life of increasing virtue and obedience to god and in this way show their gratitude to god for freeing them from the guilt of their sins.
It relates to the conduct and behavior of monks and nuns. Jainism is a religion originally from india that teaches that all the events in the universe are selfcaused, random, fixed and are independent of previous events or external causes or god. Selected brief writings covering topics of interest. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. But the religious jains will do everything possible to prevent hurting any being. Bible is the holy book which consists of old and new testaments. Imagine how different our world might be if the bible contained this as its central precept. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Those places where the tirthankaras and other holy persons have attained nirvana are called siddhakshetra. Jainism is transtheistic, and jains trace their spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twentyfour leaders or tirthankaras. Several illustrated books published in india by various jain organisations or managing trusts describe them by. In svetambara jain temples the images are always decorated with painted or glass eyes and sometimes ornaments of gold, silver, and jewels on the forehead. Christianity is the worlds biggest religion, with about 2. It began in the 6th century bce, the same time as buddhism was developing.
The tirthas of jainism are spread all over india and have been divided into two classes. In hinduism many sacred places are connected with water and rivers. The tenets of jainism and facts about mahavira are important for ias exam as it makes significant part of indian ancient history and indian culture ncert notes on important topics for the upsc civil services exam. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing.
The most momentous event, which occurred about 80 a. Contact us 715 bellemeade place, alpharetta, ga 0004, usa. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being. Regarding the ability of human beings to find the truth, jainism a.
It is considered to be much more than a book, it is deemed to be the living guru of the sikhs. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. In 300 words jainism is the philosophy and religion of jainas the followers of religion preached and practised by the thirthankaras, the last of whom was lord mahavir. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara who lived in the 6th century bc, taught that there is nothing so small and. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has.